REG'S MARCH GARDENING TIPS

GardeningEARLY MAY

  • Keep all newly planted items well-watered. This includes ones planted last autumn
  • Sow seeds of herbaceous plants
  • Sow or turf new lawns and keep mowing established ones – but not too low
  • Treat difficult lawn weeds e.g. clovers, black medic with Scotts Weedol Lawn Weedkiller
  • Plant out cabbage, cauliflower and other brassicas but take precautions against root fly
  • Don’t forget your houseplants feed and water them regularly

MID MAY

  • Sow suitable varieties of pansies to flower from autumn throughout the winter
  • Sow biennials for flowering next spring onwards e.g. wallflowers, mysotis, sweet williams, foxgloves and honesty
  • Plant out chrysanthemums for flowering in borders or for cutting
  • Plant out summer bedding plants when frost risk is minimal
  • Plant out sweet corn in blocks, rather than a long row, as they are wind pollinated
  • Take cuttings from dahlias and chrysanthemums for flowering later in summer
  • Plant tomatoes, peppers, aubergines, cucumbers etc. in a cold greenhouse
  • Make up summer flowering hanging baskets and containers. Treat them with Bug Clear Ultra Vine Weevil Killer as a precautionary measure.

LATE MAY

  • Prune clematis montana straight after flowering, if they are getting out of bounds
  • Sow some half-hardy annuals for use a winter pot plants e.g. calceolarias, schizanthus and cinnerarias
  • Beware of houseplants getting scorched on sunny windowsills
  • Listen to the weather forecast in case of any nasty late frosts.

EARLY JUNE

  • Mulches help to conserve water but the soil must be moist before they are applied
  • Sow quick growing hardy annuals e.g. clarkia, Virginia stocks for late colour in dull spot
  • When watering concentrate on climbers on walls, container and basket plants, newly planted items, dahlias, sweet peas, leafy veg. crops, celery and fruit bushes
  • Dig up bare centred alpine plants, divide them re-planting the young pieces from around the edge
  • June is one of the worst months for pest and disease attacks, so check plants regularly

MID JUNE

  • Many climbing plants can be increased by layering at this time of year
  • Mow the lawn to leave the grass 2.5cm (1in) tall. Makes grass more drought resistant
  • Treat established lawns with a lawn weed killer but not if there is a drought
  • Dead head rhododendrons after flowering to encourage new growth
  • Watch out for cabbage white butterflies around your brassica plants
  • Sow salad crops regularly, in small amounts, sowing the second row as the first emerges
  • Tomatoes can be planted outdoors. Select a sheltered site and support the plants
  • Lettuce will not germinate in hot weather. Sowing in moist drills in late evening helps
  • Shade the greenhouse, ventilate it well and spray water over the floor to raise humidity

LATE JUNE

  • Lift and divide flag iris after flowering. Re-plant young growths, keeping rhizomes above soil level
  • Deadhead roses regularly to prolong flowering. Remove any “suckers” as soon as they appear
  • Feed tomato plants regularly from when first fruits begin to form, using tomato food
  • Take out one third of the older branches on deciduous shrubs, like Philadelphus, Weigela and Deutzia after flowering
  • If pollen beetles infest your cut sweet peas, put them in water in a shed for a while. The Beetles will fly into the window, attracted by the light.

Gardening Tips

By
Reg Moule
Posted on